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Pitching on Dodgers' plate at Winter Meetings

Pitching on Dodgers' plate at Winter Meetings

MLB.com's Hot Stove takes a closer look at a report that says the Dodgers are the favorites to land pitcher Zack Greinke

By Ken Gurnick
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MLB.com |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Ned Colletti is on the hunt for a top starting pitcher at the Winter Meetings and dodgers.com will be there covering it.

The meetings open on Monday and the Dodgers' general manager has a shopping list headed by free agent Zack Greinke, although if a Cliff Lee, James Shields or Felix Hernandez becomes available via trade, that would work too. He also has until Dec. 10 to work a deal with Korean lefty Ryu Hyun-jin, having posted a $25.7 million fee for a 30-day exclusive negotiating window.

Ideally, Colletti said, he could sign more than one player. After all, new ownership wants a World Series now. That was the impetus for the midseason acquisition spree that brought the Dodgers Hanley Ramirez, Randy Choate, Brandon League, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Nick Punto, Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton.

Victorino and Blanton won't return. League has been re-signed to close. Negotiations continue with Choate. Colletti also is looking for a fourth outfielder that can play center field, and a backup corner infielder.

Manager Don Mattingly will join Colletti at the Meetings and hold his session with the media Tuesday afternoon.

The Rule 5 Draft will take place on Thursday morning. The Dodgers are not expected to take any players, but could lose one or two, including outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., left unprotected with a $1.15 million guaranteed salary.

How do you think Colletti has done so far this offseason? Comments and questions from fans about the Dodgers' moves and what else they can do are encouraged.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.